If you can't afford $99 for an SM57 and $33 or $99 for the interface, seriously, just use a USB microphone from Rock Band or another video game, they're cheap as hell and they're functional for demoing things. You will never outgrow/stop using an SM57, it's an investment that is completely worth it, is extremely durable, and holds its value quite well too.

You'll need an interface as well. There's loads around the $100 mark that'll do everything you need, do a search and check some of the other threads in this forum.

And definitely listen to everyone else, an SM57 should be the first mic you buy. It can record pretty much anything, and even though it might not be the best for, say, vocals, it'll still be good quality. And for guitar cabs it's pretty much the only mic that everyone agrees on using. It's just that good.

I didn't find it online. i went in a music store and bought it in the plastic case brand new. it was a Shure. Not fake, maybe it was on sale. who knows I'll go back and see if they have more.

and regardless if it is $99 and you are bitching about the price of that and want something even cheaper that's a direct line in like with a usb... you aren't going to achieve any sort of sound like those bands you linked.

Any of these good for Trivium, Megadeth, Lamb of God stuff? For a guy on a budget?

I don't think you'll find anything for a guy on a budget if you want to sound like Trivium, Megadeth, Lamb of God. Keep in mind that all of those bands have something a guy on a budget conceivably does not; money to burn on recording, production teams, mastering, etc.

However, if you mean just to record loud guitar and to get a similar high quality recording, then I suggest you either go for a mic'd amp (use an sm57 to pick up the sound from your amp) or you can direct record. If you're on a budget, direct recording is a much more viable option. Get a direct recording interface, such as the Saffire Pro 24 or, if you're REALLY on a budget, a Behringer Guitar Link. There are also a number of free and paid (lolnot) softwares out there that you can use to simulate high-quality recording studios and equipment. If I find the list I made two years ago with the names of all free amp simulator VSTs, I'll post it in a new thread for reference.

I got a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 for just over a $100 on Amazon. Allows me to run either two instruments, or two mics, or one one of each, at the same time into my laptop. The one of each mode will be great for running a guitar amp direct in, and mic'ing the speaker with the SM57 (I have an SM58 so I'll use that instead) for natural reverb, too.

The Scarlet even comes with a demo version of Ableton Live recording software you can use for basic recording. Grab that, an SM57 and a mic cable and you're ready to crush.

_________________So heavy if you breathe it your lungs will collapse.IRON1

If you can't afford $99 for an SM57 and $33 or $99 for the interface, seriously, just use a USB microphone from Rock Band or another video game, they're cheap as hell and they're functional for demoing things. You will never outgrow/stop using an SM57, it's an investment that is completely worth it, is extremely durable, and holds its value quite well too.

It was on sale at the music store, cause they didn't have any additional ones for 40 when I went and checked this week. I didn't know it was a sale going on I just walked in picked it up brand new in the package paid 40 bucks and walked out. Or maybe the idiot clerk rang it up for cheaper, either way it's a real mic, not used, and I paid 40 bucks for it. Soooo.... sucks for all of you that didn't luck out like me

Well I had never had to buy a new one, I honestly didn't think they were any more than that since I bought it so long ago. Only cause of this thread did I go and look and find out why I got mine for so cheap. So as it turned out to be false... up till this very week from some years ago... I thought they were only 40 bucks. I don't destroy my shit and need mics on some sort of constant basis that I would know otherwise. So it's not like I was just stating some lies since it was true in my instance.

SM57s are pretty much immortal anyway, part of why they're such a good investment.

I've had my SM58 for 24 years and it still works as well as ever, after 100+ shows, thousands of band practices, more than one spike into the stage and gallons of beer... Best $99 I ever spent on gear.

_________________So heavy if you breathe it your lungs will collapse.IRON1